(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: They Survived series. While the sinking of the Titanic is probably familiar to young readers, the heroism of Louis Zamperini may not be. Both readable volumes contain detailed texts accompanied by both black-and-white and color photos. The chronological narratives are compelling, enhanced by boxed photo captions. Each book concludes with a "surviving deadly situations" feature with practical tips for doing just that. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: They Survived titles: Surviving a World War II Prison Camp and Surviving A Shipwreck

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) YA After seventeen-year-old alchemist Mirabelle unintentionally helps assassinate King Louis XIV, she renounces the uprising led by her mother's Shadow Society to brew curatives for the impoverished masses in secret. Meanwhile, Josse, the king's bastard son, must flee to the sewers of Paris to protect his beloved younger sisters and decidedly not-beloved half-brother, the crown prince. An exciting debut novel packed with poison, rebellion, action, and romance.

Reviewer: Rachel Marsh

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Rachel Himes. This smart, lively biography in verse tells the story of Lillian Hardin Armstrong--her talent as a musician and composer, her drive, and her instrumental role in popularizing both the career of husband Louis Armstrong and jazz itself. The black-and-white illustrations' gracefully energetic lines echo and underscore the strength and elegance of the "First Lady of Jazz." Robust back matter complements the concise text. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Michele Wood. Rockliff writes in an upbeat, toe-tapping first-person voice to tell the story of lesser-known black jazz pianist Lil Hardin, who was accomplished before she met and married jazz great Louis Armstrong. Wood's bold, naive acrylic paintings nicely match the era and subject. Photos, additional biographical information, and a list of songs complete the volume. Timeline. Bib.

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(4) YA High School Horror series. Returning to Hollow Pines, Texas (Teen Frankenstein), Baker's new Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde–inspired protagonist, Cassidy, balances the devastation she experiences following a sexual assault with the terror she inspires as Marcy, a drug-fueled murderer exacting vengeance upon her attackers. The painful reality of Cassidy's situation sometimes pairs awkwardly with the campy presentation of high-school friendships, cheerleading rivalries, and horror-flick violence.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion series. Using a conversational tone, this engaging biography series discusses the life of each designer, his or her creative contribution within social history, and the evolution of the style to modern day. Additional facts appear at the bottom of pages as well as in "Fashion Factoid" sidebars throughout. Captioned photographs, a large font, and bright colors add appeal to the layouts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion titles: Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation, Eddie Bauer: Down Jacket Developer, Louis Réard: Bikini Designer, Mary Quant: Miniskirt Maker, Sam Foster: Sunglasses Success, and Levi Strauss: Blue Jean Genius.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Migy Blanco. The 1904 St. Louis World's Fair introduced many wonders, but fictional attendees Lillie and Aunt Mae are focused on an electric candy machine that spins sugar into fluffy threads of "fairy floss" (what we now call cotton candy). Candy-colored illustrations are a bit garish and the telling somewhat over-sweet, but this picture book introduces an appealing little bit of history. Reading list.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Robert Neubecker. Humorously illustrated in bright colors and with Baroque patterns and unique perspectives, this historical-fiction story about King Louis XIV's "shrimp" stature--and how he compensated for it--will engage any child. By story's end, the witty text (printed in a font of varying sizes and colors) leaves no doubt that it's always best to be yourself. The book concludes with fourteen facts about the king.

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(3) K-3 Illustrated by Boris Kulikov. This first-person picture-book biography imagines (sometimes more successfully than others) what it felt like to be young Louis Braille, beginning with the accident at age three that slowly blinded him and ending with his invention, at fifteen, of the ingenious six-cell raised-dot reading and writing system for the blind. Louis's compelling story is told in a lively and intimate text, abetted by warm mixed-media illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(2) K-3 Illustrated by James Ransome. The story of Armstrong's childhood and early adulthood is told in two voices and two fonts: a black, sans serif font for the third-person account, and a colorful font for (undocumented) first-person quotations from Satchmo himself. While the illustrations maintain a consistently upbeat mood, the story is one of challenge and optimism. Details in a lengthy author's note are better suited to older readers.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(1) YA Illustrated by Hatem Aly. In thirteenth-century France, peasant Jeanne has visions of the future; William, illegitimate son of a crusader knight and an African "Saracen," has supernatural strength; Jacob, a learned Jewish boy, has healing powers. Together they try to thwart King Louis's plan to burn all the Jewish texts in France. An ambitious mash-up of medieval saints' lives, the Joan of Arc legend, and elements of The Canterbury Tales. Bib.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Renée Graef. In seventeenth-century Paris, a talented girl creates a tapestry based on a painting by her father. King Louis XIV commissions a larger version for Versailles, even though females at the king's factory aren't permitted to be weavers. This story reveals the complexity of weaving, while realistic paintings capture the period and help elucidate the artistic process. An author's note and pronunciation guide are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ron Husband. Hopkinson's story based on true events introduces former slave John Meachum's important achievement. In 1847 St. Louis, narrator James's school in the church basement is shut down by a Missouri law prohibiting African American education. Reverend John's brilliant workaround moves the school out of state--to a steamboat on the Mississippi River. Husband's crosshatched art captures moving small details. Author's note included. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Great Moments in Science series. Each book starts with an iconic scientific moment then explores its historic and biographical context, with supporting images, primary sources, curated online sources, and critical thinking questions interspersed throughout. With a consistent format, the books respond to core curriculum guidelines and expand on these scientists' founding stories, although some of the "great moment" hooks work better than others. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Great Moments in Science titles: Charles Darwin Develops the Theory of Evolution, Isaac Newton Discovers Gravity, Louis Pasteur Advances Microbiology, Thomas Edison Invents the Light Bulb, Marie Curie Advances the Study of Radioactivity, and Rachel Carson Sparks the Environmental Movement.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Aliona Bereghici. A series of free-verse poems, arranged chronologically from his childhood through old age, explore Fuertes's dedication to celebrating birds in their natural habitats though art. The poetry's imagery and lilting rhythm convey Fuertes's lifelong wonder of all things aviary. Bird names are included in the bright, lush, if inconsistent, watercolor and ink illustrations. Biographical information is included in the back matter.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) K-3 In a disjointed story, Gibert satirically combines two historical events--the hot-air balloon invented by the Montgolfier brothers in 1783 and the 1789 French Revolution--by imagining that the sheep, hen, and duck sent up in the balloon insult King Louis XVI upon landing; sent to the Bastille, they become revolutionaries six years later. The stylish illustrations, with mixed patterns and regal jewel tones, add interest.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Levinson presents two youth circuses: St. Louis (MO)'s Circus Harmony--specifically its elite squad, the St. Louis Arches--and Israel's Galilee Circus, notable for inclusion of both Arabs and Jews. In 2007 the Arches traveled to Galilee to promote cross-cultural understanding--and to have fun practicing circus arts. Vivid photographs and straightforward, interview-heavy text paint a hopeful portrait without sugarcoating reality. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA After Pretty Sly's revelation that Willa's mother is actually her sister, Willa and fellow outlaw Aidan bring their stealing and breaking-and-entering talents to St. Louis to investigate her real mother's murder. They have to solve the mystery before they're caught by the FBI--or the bad guys. This fast-paced, over-the-top trilogy's conclusion brings Willa's improbable adventures to a satisfactory end.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 Wanderville series. The Wanderville gang is waylaid on their journey to California when they agree to deliver a mysterious medallion to "Mr. Moses McGee" at the St. Louis World's Fair. Some tough older boys, a ruthless smuggler, and a past threat keep the orphans on the run. Some plot elements are overly convenient, but series fans will enjoy the lively pace of this third adventure.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) 4-6 In 1911 St. Louis, eleven-year-old orphan Julia and her sister are sent to the nuns' House of Mercy, while their brother is taken to Father Dunne's boys' home. Desperately wanting control over her life and her family reunited, Julia lashes out at authority figures and tries to escape at every turn. The characters' distinctive voices carry this fine work of historical fiction.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015